May 5, 1963 - At the Polo Grounds yesterday (pictured), the dynamic cry “Let’s go, Mets!” was followed soon enough by some penetrating ideas from Met fans about where they might try going. The disillusioned crowd of 25,674 thought time had turned back a year as they watched the Giants blast 6 homers and inflict the worst damage of the young year, 17-4. It was in fact as brutal a beating as the Mets have absorbed in their short and hectic history. Twice in ’62, they were clobbered for 17. Heading up the assault, as the Giants drive for the top with five straight wins, were Orlando Cepeda and Ed Bailey with two homers apiece and Jim Davenport and Felipe Alou, who each chipped in with one. Most of yesterday’s sadism was perpetrated upon Roger Craig. He gave up five of the homers and nine of the runs before taking the long walk in the fifth, with the score 9-4. An early indication of what was in store for Craig and the Mets was provided within the first five pitches of the game. Davenport stroked the third pitch to left for a single. Two serves later, Felipe Alou lined his No. 4 into the lower left stands, just clearing. Undefeated Giant hurler Billy O’Dell picked up his third straight win with six innings of work. Alvin Dark let Billy go shower in the seventh, when the Giants were leading 14-4, and Gaylord Perry shut out the Mets on just one single over the final three frames. Eight of the Giant runs were unearned, the result of five Met errors, three of them in the ninth. As the fans filed out of the Polo Grounds, a bedraggled banner could be seen. It said: “In Spite of All, We Love the Mets.”
